PRESENT POINT POWER

Look out from your windows and this is what you can expect in the "moderate" API areas

The haze is everywhere in the Klang Valley

Despite the deteriorating hazy condition, the Department of environment insists that the API level remains at a satisfactory level. Based on the API readings (taken at 5 pm, Sunday Aug 06), DOE said that 33 readings of the 51 locations show readings of 51 or more suggesting MODERATE AIR QUALITY. 18 readings show readings below 50.

The ONLY area with unhealthy reading is in TANJUNG MALIM with an API of 108 (UNHEALTHY) compared to 94 on Saturday. See table of readings below. DOE advised staying indoors and refrain from open burning identified as the major source of the smog.

And if you want good air, take a break and have a holiday in Kelantan or East Malaysia where the air quality is amongst the lowest (30s) from the table

What the DOE did not explain is the dry weather without much wind to blow the haze away. This hazy condition is actually formed by “temperature inversion” wherby the upper atmosphere has a slightly higher temperature thereby trapping the air below which cannot rise.

It looks like it is LOCALISED opening burning explaining WHY Tanjung Malim has a localized high reading. DOE should carry out more checks but their hands are tied. So the Public help is needed.

If you see any deliberate BIG burning, contact:

Hunting Line : 03-8871 2000 / 8871 2200
Complaints Line: 03-88891972
Fax: 03-8891973/75; see also below

JASLINE :1-800-88-2727

Can you imagine: NO Email? No internet connection or unable to use email?

So folks get your masks ready when going out. For those with weak hearts and and chronic chest problems better stay indoors (you breathe the SAME polluted air though) but being indoors, you reduce your physical activities and thus reducing your air consumption.

An air conditioning atmosphere helps a bit but if you have an Ionizers, it would be much better as it brings down the dust level.

Meanwhile the visibility in Penang improved in the afternoon today following rain at midday.
A spokesman from the State Metrological Department said the reading at the ground level was more than 10 kilometers as at 4pm in Bayan Lepas while in Prai the reading was at eight.

Look further and the visibility drops further

AIR POLLUTANT INDEX (API)
Tarikh : 06 Ogos 2006 (Ahad/Sunday)

STATE AREA TIME 11.00 am TIME 5.00 pm
PERLIS Kangar 52* 56c

KEDAH Langkawi 60* 63*
Alor Setar 59* 59*
Bakar Arang, Sg. Petani 76* 77*

P.PINANG USM 36* 38c
ILP, Perai 62* 61*
Seberang Jaya 2, Perai 67* 68*

PERAK Jalan Tasek, Ipoh 70* 70*
S K Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh 67* 68*
Kg. Air Putih, Taiping 74* 71*
Seri Manjung 62* 64*
Tanjung Malim 55* 108c

SELANGOR Gombak 51* 58*
Pelabuhan Kelang 63* 67*
Petaling Jaya 54* 62*
Country Heights, Kajang 55* 62*
Shah Alam 54* 61c
Kuala Selangor 72* 78*

W.PERSEKUTUAN Kuala Lumpur 53* 61*
Putrajaya 51* 60c
Labuan 35* 35*

N.SEMBILAN Nilai 62* 69*
Seremban 50* 59c

MELAKA Bukit Rambai 64* 66*
Bandaraya MELAKA 54* 58*

JOHOR Pasir Gudang 59* 61*
Larkin 51* 51*
Muar 64* 66*
Johor Bahru 52* 52*

KELANTAN Pengkalan Chepa 29* 30*
M.Sult.Ismail, K.Bharu 34* 43c

TERENGGANU Kemaman 55* 56*
Paka 39* 42*
Kuala Terengganu 46* 46*

PAHANG Jerantut 54* 55*
Indera Mahkota, Kuantan 45* 49*
Balok Baru, Kuantan 55* 57*

SARAWAK Kuching 55* 56*
Sibu 49* 46*
Bintulu 61* 63*
Miri 31* 33*
Sarikei 47* 45*
Limbang 29* 29*
Samarahan 53* 54*
Sri Aman 51* 52*
Kapit 40* 43*
Petra Jaya 53* 52*

SABAH Kota Kinabalu 31* 31*
Tawau 52* 50*
Keningau 45* 45*
Sandakan 36* 36*

Explaination

API Indication No of Areas No of Areas
(11.00am) (5.00pm)

0-50 Good 16
51-100 Moderate 35
101-200 Unhealthy 0 1
201-300 Very Unhealthy 0 0
>301 Hazardous 0 0
# Technical Problem 0 0

Nota / Note
* = Habuk Halus (PM10) c = Ozon (O3)
a = Sulfur Dioksida (SO2) d = Karbon Monoksida (CO)
b = Nitrogen Dioksida (NO2) & = Lebih daripada satu pencemar

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Complaints pertaining to the environmental pollutions can be made via mail, phone-call or can be submitted directly to the relevant Department of Environment State Office's. DOE's HQ Control Room in Putrajaya will be operational from 7.00 a.m. until 11.30 p.m. inclusive of Sunday and public holiday.

Complaints in writing can be forwarded to:

Department of Environment
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Level 1 - 4, Podium 2 & 3,

Lot 4G3, Precint 4,
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62574 Putrajaya